Method of and means for firing kilns



May 5, 1931. H. G. LYKKEN METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FIRING KILNS Filed Aug. 28, 1926 2 Shets-Sheet 1 i I!!! L x a a w J n M kmw %N @N N \hN %\L k\ J y iken/ w f m May 5, 1931.

H. G. LYKKE N METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FIRING KILNS Filed Aug. 28, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TTI L/ Patented May 5, 1931 UNITED sr HENRY G. LYKKEN, OF MINNEAIPOLIS, MINNESOTA METHOD OF AND MEAN S FOR FIRING KILNS Application filed August 28, 1926. Serial No. 132,062.

The present invention relates to the firing quire more or less than at other points. In of kilns, and the like, such as the type in the burning of many wares, it is desirable which the ware to be fired may be moved to vary the character of the atmosphere or past the firing point or points. gases surrounding the ware, such as the pro- Among the objects of the invention are ducing of reducing conditions at certain to provide a novel method of firing kilns points and oxidizing conditions at others.

with powdered or pulverized fuel, it being here theeifects of the direct rays of combroadly new to use such fuel for firing bustionwould be undesirable, screening may kilns. It is preferable to apply the heat at be resorted to by the interposing of a screen different points or loci and to independently of checker work or the like between each 6 control the firing at each locus for the dechamber and the passage for the ware.

sired heat treatment to be effected at such Other objects, capabilities, advantages and locus as the ware passes through or by the features are comprehended by the invention same. 7 as will later appear and are inherently Y Another object is to provide for igniting possessed thereby. i i

and maintaining ignited the pulverized fuel Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a as it is supplied to each firing chamber or fragmentary top plan View of a tunnel kiln locus, and preferably tovary the fuel either constructed in accordance with the invenin quantity or character, or both, as by tion. i 30 varying the proportions of the powdered Fig. 2 is atransverse sectional view of the fuel and the supporter of combustion, such same and a firing chamber, with parts as air, or by the introduction of additional shown in end elevation. air, such introduction being regulated 01" And, Fig. 8 is a longitudinal view taken controlled as to the amount introduced. The in a verticalplane through a firing chamber.

ignition may be effected by maintaining a Referring now more in details to the quantity of incandescent fuel in the chamber drawings, the embodiment selected to illustoward which, as by downward direction, the trate the invention is shown as comprising powdered fuel and air may be supplied or a' kiln tunnel 1 through which may travel directed, the complete combustion of the cars 2 upon tracks 3and carrying ware 4 30 powdered fuel being effected in the chamber upon the cars. The passage or tunnel is and above the incandescent fire bed or the preferably covered with a suitable roof 5 like in the chamber. Means may be used to of anykind of refractory material or the maintain this bed in incandescence. The like. At each side of the tunnel or passage term incandescent or incandescence is are located a number of chambers 6 and 35 used herein to comprehend low degrees of 7 at different points, each chamber having incandescence or glowing as well as any communication with the tunnel passage and higher degrees. 1 having a firing space or chamber 8 within Another object is to supply the powdered each of the chambers. A screening device fuel from preferablya common source and as in theform ofchecker work 9 may be 46 to supply the same, such asby means of provided between the chamber 8 and the 99 blowers or aspirators or the like, to each passage of the tunnel.

firing locus or chamber independently, and NVithin each chamber may be located a also to vary each independently as by the ingrate or other like support, or a perforated troduction of additional air into the comfloor lOvupon which may be located afire 45 bustible mixture to effect a leaner mixture bed 11 ofsuitable fuel and which is to be or to vary the amount of heat developed by maintained in more or less incandescent or the combustion in the chamber. In this-way glowing state. For the purpose of effectabsolute control of the heat at each locus is ing the incandescence of the fire bed, means possible, as also the supplying of the remay be provided forthe s'u pl of a supquired heat at each point which might re porter of combustion beneah t e grate 10,

such means being, in the embodiment shown, shown as comprising as air duct 11 an air pipe 12 leading into a subchaniber 13 beneath the grate 10, the entry of the air through the pipes 12 being controlled by suitable valves 13 which may be operated to adjust the amount of airsupplied to the fire bed. For the purpose of supplying fuel upon the grate 10, the furnace may be provided with a charging door or opening 14 having a closure 15 which is- -normallymain tained closed, but opens when new fuel is placed upon the grate 10.

At the upper part of the chamber 8 is provided a discharge conduit 16 connected In the operation of the device the trucksor cars 2 are caused to travel through the kiln with the ware 4 thereupon and pass the checker work- 9 of the firing chambers or furnaces. Assuming that the fire bed or fuel 11 has been brought to an incandescent state, and the door 15 is closed, as well as the valve 13, or the same left partially open, to maintain incandescence of the fire bed, the blowers are operated to draw amixture of powdered fuel and air through the duct-21 to the fan or blower 17- and to discharge such mixture through fthe conduit 16'downwardly through the upper partof the chamber space 8 and toward the fire bed 11'. The latter, by reason of beingin the incandescent state, will ignite this fuel and cause the same tobe burned completely within the fire chamber 8, the hot products of combustion, then passing through the checker work into the tunnel space andthrougli' and among the ware.

Eachblower 17 is preferably providedwith one orniore air inlet openings 23 adapted'tob'e controlled by a shutter or the like 240i any suitable coiistri'i'ction,-such that the latter may be adjusted to either partially open, completely open or close the apertures or openings 23' for regulating the. amount of additional air that maybe introduced into the mixture in the fan in order to provide a more or less lean mixture ofthe combus' tible material as it is projected into the-combustion'chamber 8. l I

It is to be understood that the wa-rein passing through the tunnel, to be properly treated; shouldbe affected with heat; condi'tions in differentamountsuand in difierent character, as the ware proceeds. At some points the combustion is so effected that a reducing action may be effected at the locus or loci of the passage of the ware adjacent such firing chambers. At other places an oxidizing condition or action may be effected. By providing independent blowers for each furnace, or firing chamber, and independent means for controlling the inlet of air or the like into the fans, the particular type of combustion desired may be effected.

If desired, each conduit 21 may be providedwith a control valve 25 which may be operated in any suitable manner to more or less restrict the passage of themixture through the conduit 21 to the respective blower connected thereto. From the above it will be apparent that not only the-total quantity of the combustible mixture passing from the conduit 21- to-the fan may be regulated, but its character may also be varied by the introduction of airthroughthe openings 23 in a variable or regulatable manner.v v V lVhil'e I have herein described and upon the drawings shown one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto nor to the particular process stepsdescribed,-but that it may comprehend other features, details,

constructions and arrangements ofparts as point, and projecting. a' stream of mixed pulverized fuel and air downwardly toward said bed.-

3.: Themethod of firing, comprising maintaining: anincandescent fuel bed at a low point, projecting a stream of mixed pulverized' fuel and air downwardly toward said bed, causing said fuel in said streamto burn, and screening the radiant rays of saidburningfuel from warejbeingfired.

at. The method of burning fuel comprising the supplying of mi xed pulverized fuel and air downwardly upon a fuel bed, and maintaining said fuel bedin incandescent state. I 1

5. A firing device, comprising a common source of mixed pulverized fuel and air, a plurality of: firing chambers located at different loci, means for supplying said mixed fuel and air from said source to eachof saidferent loci, means for supplying said mixed fuel and air from said source to each of said chambers, means for admitting additional air at said chambers, and means for varying said additional air admitting means.

8. A firing device, comprising a firing chamber, means therein for supporting a fire bed, means for maintaining said bed in incandescence, means for directing a mixture of powdered fuel and air toward said bed whereby the latter may ignite the mixture and maintain the same ignited.

9. A firing device, comprising a firing chamber, means therein for supporting a fire bed, a screen between the firing space in said chamber and the ware in the kiln, and means for maintaining said bed in incandescence, means for directing a mixture of powdered fuel and air toward said bed whereby the latter may ignite the mixture and maintain the same ignited.

10. A firing device, comprising a firing chamber, means for maintaining a quantity of fuel in incandescent condition in said chamber, means for blowing a uniform mixture of pulverized fuel and air toward said incandescent fuel, means for variably introducing given amounts of air into said mixture at said chamber.

11. In a tunnel kiln having a passage for travel of ware, firing chambers at different loci at the sides of said passage and communicating therewith, incandescent means in each chamber, and means for directing a mixture of pulverized fuel and air downwardly in each of said chambers and toward the incandescent means therein.

12. In a tunnel kiln having a passage for travel of ware, firing chambers at different loci at the sides of said passage and communicating therewith, incandescent means in each chamber, means for directing a mixture of pulverized fuel and air downwardly in each of said chambers and toward the incandescent means therem, and means for varying said mixture for desired degree of.

firing.

13. In a tunnel kiln having a passage for travel of ware, firing chambers at different loci at the sides of said passage and communicating therewith, incandescent means in each chamber, means for directing a mixture of pulverized fuel and air downwardly in each of said chambers and toward the incandescent means therein, and means in each chamber for introducing additional air in desired amounts into said mixture at said chamber.

14. In a tunnel kiln having a passage for travel of ware, firing chambers at different loci at the sides of said passage and communicating therewith, incandescent means in each chamber, means for directing a mixture of pulverized fuel and air downwardly in each of said chambers and toward the incandescent means therein, means in each chamber for introducing additional air in desired amounts into said mixture at said chamber, and means for varying the amount of air so introduced.

15. In a tunnel kiln having a passage for travel of ware, firing chambers at different loci at the sides of said passage and communicating therewith, incandescent means in each chamber, means for directing a mixture of pulverized fuel and air downwardly in each of said chambers and toward the incandescent means therein, and means for screening the ware from the direct rays of heat in said chamber.

16. The method of firing consisting of the projecting of a mixture of pulverized fuel and air toward a maintained and maintainable incandescent bed of fuel, and controllably varying said projecting of the mixture as desired.

17. The method of firing consisting of the downward projecting of a mixture of pulverized fuel and air upon a maintained and maintainable bed of fuel, and controlling the mixture to the projecting means for maintaining a uniform mixture at any rate of supply.

18. The method of firing consisting of the downward projecting of mixtures of pulverized fuel and air upon maintained and maintainable incandescent beds of fuel of a plurality of fire boxes, and individually controlling the amount of mixture at each box.

19. The method of firing consisting of the downward projecting of mixtures of pulverized fuel and air upon maintained and maintainable incandescent beds of fuel of a plurality of fire boxes, individually controlling the amount of mixture at each box, and screening the fire from the ware at each box.

20. The method of firing consisting of the drawing a mixture of pulverized fuel and air from a common source where a uniform and constant mixture is maintained, and firing the mixture upon a maintained and maintainable fuel bed,

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

HENRY Gr. LYKKEN. 

